The unresolved modern problems with men's fashion and it's 2020

[Unit1]

This may sound ridiculous but unless you care at least on the same level as I do about men's fashion options (and enjoy looking good or stylish), you wouldn't really bother with men's style or fashion options.

And I can understand why men's fashion is limited and women's fashion choices is available plentiful. I suppose most men don't really care about good looking clothes and that is most likely because they are preoccupied with other things in their minds (work, labor, cars, tech, games, p o r n, money, fitness) and stylish clothes or accessories is at the bottom of their interest list - if at all.

And so therefore the shops don't sell them as much.

Problem - Men's clothing/accessories options are vastly outnumbered by women's clothing/accessories

I'm not going to pull random numbers by how much but I can bring some real world examples to prove my point.

I went to the mall and entered several (5 to 10) clothing shops.

I found, that more than half of these clothing shops sell clothes/accessories products, that are only for women (heels, dresses, skirts etc...).

And the lesser half of the clothing shops, that sell clothes for men too? I found, that the store is filled up by approximately 60% women's clothes/accessories, 20% child clothes, 5% headwear/socks/misc and the remaining 15% (at best) is men's clothing/accessories and so this renders men's fashion choices severely limited and they are more unlikely to find something, that they like to wear and then look into the mirror. This may force us men to do our purchasing online without being able to try them on first.

Another example I have is with umbrellas. I was looking for umbrellas recently and I found, that the umbrellas for men are mostly nothing but plain and black. 9 out of 10 umbrellas (for men) looked like this:

But the umbrellas (for women) are the opposite: 9 out of 10 umbrellas came with any sort of design and various variants. Something like this here:

My point here is there are pretty cool looking umbrellas too but the vendors/manufacturers just slap a label on it like it's for women only. I mean take a look at this umbrella and you'll understand my perspective, that it will look cool on either gender.

Furthermore women have more than several options in what style they can appear. They can appear:

• Classy
• In a suit
• In a dress
• Underdressed/revealing/slutty
• In a bikini
• Casual or light
• Trashy/hobo-style/working class
• Colorful
• Sportswear

Now correct me if I am wrong but men's options in what style they can appear is far less than for women. AFAIK these are:

• Classy
• In a suit
• In shorts/swimming wear and topless
• Casual or light
• Sportswear
• Trashy/hobo-style/working class

From these bullet points I can see fewer style options on the men's side but perhaps I have not witnessed everything yet. Of course I can't list everything because the list would be too big. While women have make-up men have beards. While women wear earrings men wear watches. And then some things also intersect such as hats, coats, scarves, boots, pendants, gucci and rings for both men and women. The list goes on and you get the idea.

At this point in 2020 I am kind of shocked, that businesses aren't coming up with more good looking clothes/accessories for men or for unisex. They can definitely make some revenue out of it since there's a serious lack of these but the bigger question is: Is there a demand for it (besides me of course)? As I see it - not really. How sad!

[BeeNee]

There have been a few decades and even early centuries where men's fashion was on par with women's but the last time there was a lot of variety and emphasis on men's style, I'd venture to say was the 70's---after that, it was back to suits and casual plaids, and denim.

I once wrote a whole thing on men's fashion and the majority of comments from men, were, "no one cares." Obviously I know this isn't true, but truth be told, even if you do care a lot about men's fashion, guys have a way of tearing that down as if you shouldn't want to look good or put effort into your wardrobe or care about such things and it can really stifle that guy who wants to put in that effort if he knows his friends or family are going to just make fun of him for it.

I think at this point in our timeline, the only place you can find great or different men's fashion is online, or if you live in an area with a trendy neighborhood. Until it's more accepted again that men should be able to have and embrace more style again, it's just I'm afraid, going to be more of the same old same old.

[Unit1]

Yes. Pretty much that. Nowadays I see men's clothing store and they got nothing but suits, suits and more suits! I mean give me a break with those suits (i don't even like suits to begin with).

[BeeNee]

It is completely boring. I went shopping before the pandemic with a guy friend for a photo shoot because he needed some help picking out a good outfit, and literally there was nothing but plain colored polos and plaid available. There was nothing unique about anything or if you wanted to perhaps look different, there was no real option in that particular store, which is echoed by a lot of stores who have helped put men into one box.

[Unit1]

Tell me all about it Ms. Bee Nee!
Therefore we men will have to rely on online clothing stores to get our good looking clothes delivered. We can't even put them on to measure it. What would help however is if the clothes specified supported size ranges like for example 183-188cm (i saw that on one hoodie).

Funny thing however is that I find rappers sometimes have better clothes than the average joe next street. Nothing clowny or anything but sometimes what they wear can look good. Something unusual.

[Unit1]

So basically if rappers can get a hold of these, why shouldn't we.

[BeeNee]

Well, rappers tend to have tons of money and can afford a stylist who literally will fly to them with racks and racks of clothes. Those stylists and designers benefit from outfitting those rappers, because those items will often sell out once seen in public or in a music video. They have zero incentive to sell to you, a "normal" person. Even if you are clamoring for their styles, they stand to make far more money off of one appearance with said rapper, then one guy or even a dozen buying in store. So it's back to square one. What I advise people to do is really shop around locally and see if you can find a shop or a designer near you that does amazing things, or if you can afford to go and see them in person, they can take your measurements, and then you will know what fits in their branding/sizing.

[Unit1]

Recently I've been browsing for clothes online and i found designer online shops with huge options and custom design constructor, so they're doing just that. We're in luck. They do however cost twice as much. Still worth the money 💵 wish they were just easier to find.

[bobalife]

Interesting take🤔 I like that a guy actually spoke up about this haha. However, as a fashionsta, it’s a general rule that fashion can be made by any type of style you put on and your level of effort 😉

[Unit1]

That is correct! :D

[bobalife]

Hahaha yayyy 😝

[Dargil]

Men's Fashion not a strong area for me. But since most things revolve around politics and sex, some possible insights.
The hippie/protest period (Mid 60's to mid 70's) was a period where fashion and music was endlessly multidimensional. There were no real trends. Just do what you want. But then Disco emerged, accompanied by far more formulaic music and highly (overly?) styled fashion. In a sense, Disco was a protest against the protest period. "We" all wanted to be all grown up again.

Then Disco then evolved into New Wave. It was like the kid brothers and sisters of Disco-ers coming of age. With it came truly high fashion with broad and sophisticated creativity in music within the restraints of being dance-able with a few variations. The mindset of New Wave was, in my view, somewhat younger than Disco, cleaner and more cheerful.

New Wave's period may have been at least fashion's and music's best days since the WW2 swing era from the 1930's to the early 50's or maybe in all of the US's history. While both were exceptional in music and style, Swing artificially presented racial unity and a confident, equal status for women. With the New Wave period, it was real.

I think the decline of men's fashion parallels the decline of men in society due to the various misandrist movement including whatever wave of Feminism we are in this week. Men are no longer objectified. We are reviled. There is little reason to dress up to impress women if they don't want to be impressed. Sad.

The remnants of style in men are found in the varying degrees of Country to Western.
Cowboy styles. It is reflects a growing disconnect between men and women culturally.
The more I learn about women, the more I like my (pickup truck, dog, horse).Men's fashion will return when there are social movements reviving traditional women. There are very dark days ahead in the USA. Antifa. BLM. #metoo. Social Justice. Radical Feminism. These will have to run their course. In time, they will all go away.

[Dargil]

I stumbled across this boutique site when I bought some things for my SO.
https://www.roselinlin.com/
There used to be similar sites for men. I don't hear of them anymore.

[Unit1]

I prefer modern women if not for their obsession over social media like instagram but okay.

[Dargil]

I have studied social trends starting with the Victorian Era. Each had its fashion and music.
Our present culture is broken and fragmented. Music is bland, repetitive, shallow and frequently offensive. Fashion for men has disappeared, partly due (I'm guilty here) to degrees of obesity.
Masculinity (virility) has disappeared. Read any issue of Playboy Magazine out of the 1960's. Not the nudes. Fashion. Wine. Cigars. Theater. Gambling sports like poker and billiards. Men were men. My grandfather was one. Your take was detailed and interesting. Use your intellect explain why this has happened.

[Unit1]

I see what you mean. The godfather time type of men. Maybe the gangsters, maybe the average men, maybe the simpler terms of dressing up back then with the options to choose from.

However i can't point out exactly why men's fashion has declined by their loss of interest, caring about it and so on. I have read, that many men were simply not taught how to get some style in the same way people were not taught how to cook or how to be and answer during a job interview.

[Dargil]

"I have read, that many men were simply not taught how to get some style in the same way people were not taught how to cook or how to be and answer during a job interview."
I am one of those. The very little I know is self taught. Don't want to be bizarre here, but I sometimes wish I lived as an adult in another era. WW2/Swing 40s to 50's or the New Wave Reagan/Bush41 80's and 90's.

[Unit1]

I myself wasn't taught how to dress up or how to get individual style. Since I grew up in poverty I was wearing either whatever I could find or whatever I was given. This ended fortunately thanks to me holding an adequate job for 3-4 years.

[alice55]

I think they do nothing cause there's no demand. I'm also extremely interested in fashion (I follow all the trends I like) but I think people in general don't care that much about trends / fashion, mostly it's teenager and people in their 20s who care about it over it most people (men and women alike don't bother much with it), they end up being trendy clothes cause that's the only kind of clothes the shop have (at least in my country).
Then most men that like and follow fashion are teenager / guys in their twenty (who mostly wear streetwear and casual style (jeans, hoodie / sweater, sneakers / doc Martens) but they in general don't bother much either or wear really interested outfits (in my country they mostly like to wear jeans / hoodie / tracksuit from expensive brands adidas / nike / fila / Lacoste mostly ). So basically the young guys interested in fashion only care about brands and the cut of the clothes (skinny fit) but they don't care at all about accessories (some wear jewelry but there's not a lot who do).
The only guys I've seen wearing interested outfits are the one on instagram.

As for older men they all wear the same things (for the one that are interested in fashion) which is skinny jeans with cardigan, skinny shirt or skinny button down with a cardigan or blazer (or any other fashionable / classic jacket) with dressy shoes or adidas.

In the end in my opinion guys just aren't interested in fashion as a whole and the one that are just to do it to look good and attractive to women (the older one) and to look cool (the younger one) but they don't really like / are interested in very complex fashion and looks so the shop don't bother trying to sell clothes to a gender that is mostly uninterested in fashion.
(Too the one that do like fashion just buy expensive clothing most of the time so they don't have the money to buy hundred of pants like women do), women can buy hundred of pants in a season because they buy them at cheap store but men prefer expensive brand so they can only buy like 2 pants per season (unless they're rich). So I think it's one of the reasons there's less option for men (they buy less so no need to propose the same pants in 10 color or the same pants with just a slight difference).
Also women wear a tons more different color than men do, men usually stay to the basics which is grey, dark blue and black (and white for the shirt).

[Unit1]

Pretty much what I am talking about.
However one of my coworker (male) did mention, that no matter the price (high or low) the pants he buys fall apart or start to break after 1-2 years. I saw cheap and affordable clothing just today in the mall for both men and women. We too can stock up piles of clothes for cheap. All we need to do is find these stores.

[alice55]

Yea but like I said men interested in fashion usually only wear / buy expensive clothes (at least where I live it might be different in your country).
If his pants break after 1 or 2 years then he's the one who can't take care of it properly, I have many clothes that I own since I"m 11 eleven years old, they still fit me and are in great condition. So either the brand he buy are shit either he don't know how to properly wash it and all.
I don't know the brand that your friend buy but personally I mostly buy from adidas, nike, lacoste and napapjiri and those are expensive brand but really well made after the one that is shitty quality is the clothes I buy from cheap store. After I also buy from Guess which is expensive and not super high quality but by being careful about it does stay in good condition even 3 years after.

There's cheap store for men fashion too but men usually are more interested in expensive brand and don't like cheap one (in my country they like to mock girls that buy clothes from hm and zara, they consider it quite a shitty brand) but after maybe is it just the people around me and not the whole country.

[Unit1]

He's a worker, so naturally his pants wear off fast.

I don't like expensive clothes but I'm making exceptions if they look really good. Like yesterday I've been browsing online shops, that offer designer clothing. They're twice as expensive as the ones you'd find in a mall or in H&M or in C&A but they're worth the money if you get to choose your custom or a premade design (we're not talking about Gucci or Lou V). For the good looks and probably even the longevity (as they advertised) it's totally worth spending it.

[alice55]

Thats explain why then, personally I just work indoor and don't move much so they stay in shape a long time.
A smart things to do is to buy your basics in expensive store (because they're more well made and last longer) and to buy the trends items in cheap shop cause you aren't gonna wear them a long time (at least that's usually how is it).

[Unit1]

Makes sense.

[Oram52]

Supply and demand. Like you mentioned majority of men simply aren't interested so there simply isn't enough demand overall.

However that's not entirely true, there are plenty of options for men too. If you shop around you can easily find them especially designer clothes as those are catered to men/women into fashion. There are plenty of options available for men but not as many compared to women. Women certainly have the market cornered but that doesn't mean men lack options.

I've had no problems. I do put effort, also the type of girls I like putting effort definitely helps. Men complain about dating but even some effort in appearance would go long way, girls definitely appreciate men who put effort. Though at least where I live even most girls don't put effort in clothes, you'll see many wearing unflattering fashion. Girls from East Europe tend to put more effort, poison of feminism hasn't taken hold there yet.

If men go overboard though even girls are put off by it, that men are feminine, gay or metrosexual. Same way men like girls to be feminine women like men to be masculine. I wouldn't even wear kilts.

But like I said I only like girls who also put effort and don't wear ugly shoes, and putting effort myself definitely helps. I've personally have had no problem overall shopping for what I need, but compared to women option are definitely limited.

That's because of biology. Mens body's are designed for hunting, combat, to deal with natural elements. Women's body's are not only designed to give birth but also attract mates. We are mammals. Same way peacock male of the species attracts mates, in humans females attract mates. Their bodies are designed and suit many variety of different fashion. Men pursue, women attract. Men's bodies wouln't suit a dress, blouse, tank top, heels etc. They're feminine designed to grab attention of opposite sex. So women have different variety of fashion because biologically their bodies suit variety of fashion.

That's why fashion and make up are billion dollar industries mostly targeted at women. On the cover of men's magazines its attractive woman, on the cover of women, s magazines is also attractive woman. Men's ambition, status, confidence, charm, charisma, verbal skills etc are prized. And these are the guys who do better with women.

Look at clubs for example, even men have to put effort in appearance to be allowed into a good club, but their effort is nothing compared to women. Who spent an hour getting ready. So in a club the way women dress will attract men, and for men it'll be their seduction skills. Of course men's appearance and effort also comes into play, but after certain threshold it doesn't matter. His charm and charisma seals the deal. Its biological, females attract, and males pursue. That's why there are abundance of fashion choices available for women. Its biology - how female body is designed & biological role in attracting mates.

[Unit1]

Not gonna believe it's because of biology. Although clothing is also not about biology. I'm not convinced whatsoever.
Yay for designer clothes. They came to the rescue.

[Oram52]

You don't have to believe anything. But even designer clothes are disproportionately available for women. Its simply that's how their body is designed. Like I said what can men wear mini dress?

If we go back 100 years countries were isolated and insulated, so cultures were mostly localized, uninfluenced by external factors. Yet even then it were women who mostly had varied different types of clothing. Look any region in the world, India, Middle East, Africa, East Europe, South America etc. And it still holds true. Look at East Europe or Middle East.

If you look at Gay community, its not like being called gay for dressing up anyway they want is an issue, their are many Femme gays, their are gay men who do express feminine behaviour. Yet clothing options are even limited for them, they can wear more feminine or flamboyant clothes but there is only so much they can wear, only so many options they have. Go to any gay club. Now compared that to lesbians or even your average woman.

Male body can only express so much. Most of the designers are gay, fashion industry is dominated by women and gay men. If their were more options available their would've been more varied options available for men. Their aren't because what exactly can they do to garnish male bodies, which are designed very differently.

Look at how many different way women can wear shorts and look sexy, how many ways do you see men pulling it off?

To the original point, like I said where I live even most women don't put much effort let alone men. However their are plenty of of options available for men, could be on expensive side which could also be due to less demand, but options are available nonetheless. I don't see it being any different in Germany, I'm sure if I was in Berlin right now I'd have no trouble.

[Unit1]

Can't argue with that. It's not like we wear dresses or bras or heels. They were not designed to be worn by us

[WhiteSteve]

I’m with you, bro, but I don’t think there are too many of us, lmao. Most men don’t give a shit/don’t know. They do what they need to attract a woman, if they even do that much, or said woman will just roll their eyes and accept them for their other qualities. Even guys who wear suits to work, it’s all pretty basic, nobody seems to go too crazy. I dress pretty nice when I want to, and random passing strangers will tell me how good I look, which I certainly appreciate and like to think isn’t a complete accident, but I look around and it’s like “where’s the competition?” It’s just guys in jorts and ugly t-shirts that fit way too loosely, because they’d rather wear baggy clothes than work out or own their body shape. Don’t get me started on the shoes, lmfao. And I accomplish my look rarely using much more than Macy’s-level quality stores, it’s not like I’m walking around in $5,000 Armani suits, it’s just non-designer clothes but I have a plan, haha.

So yeah, especially nowadays where brick-and-mortar stores are already struggling to profit, I think the space is better used on female-oriented items, since they’re way more likely to make those kind of purchases.

[Unit1]

Thanks for letting me know that.
I know one guy, who looks aesthetically really weird (his hair especially is unkempts and he wears nerdy clothes) but he's a good man and all that. However he managed to get a new woman by charming them with initiative and compliments regardless if it's convenient or probable for either of them. He does that like the women are lottery tickets.

[RickPen]

I literally don't care about fashion, as clothes should be built to function first, and I think the form should follow function.

As it stands, modern clothing is cut to a standard, and none of it seems to fit me. Going to a big and tall store is literally that: a person is expected to be fat and tall. Finding clothes that aren't three sizes too large, or too short is a legitimate problem, and I err on the side of too large in order for it to fit.

I personally wish jobs didn't require the boring and uncomfortable suits, or polo shirts. While the latter is not terribly uncomfortable (depending on. brand and cut), they aren't very durable. I personally find button-up shirts to be insanely uncomfortable, binding, and too thin, plus the requisite wearing an undershirt is too warm. I will either overheat, or sweat profusely, which is even less socially acceptable in an office setting. Suits only make the situation worse.

I would like to see a return to function, with durable materials and designs. Military clothing often fits this necessity. Sadly, it's seen as trashy to wear. I used to sneak by at work wearing a clean set of combat boots under my slacks, because nothing else would hold up with the amount of walking I had at a previous job.

[Unit1]

Ugh. Suits. I really dislike those. They aren't even looking good to me. So plain, monotonous and a weird form-specific shape. Makes me feel like I'm a machine part of something.

I think clothes with acceptable durability (including designer clothes) generally cost more than a low price tag waiting to be snatched by greedy or poor customers.

[RickPen]

Considering 50% of the country owns less than 1% of the total wealth, I would say the vast majority are poor.

[Unit1]

Accurate!
Hence if one wants money, they'll have to devote their life to it.

[AmandaYVR]

I agree with you, the fashion options for men seems pretty abysmal. But clothing manufacturing has declined in general, is my impression, having working in it or following it closely for three decades now.

I am against fast fashion. It's practically disposable. Trends only somewhat interest me. Fabrics have gone from naturals to almost purely synthetics. Fabrics are no longer preshrunk - a way of saving money on product cost. Then, the consumer (women, cause they're the ones wearing soft rayons, etc.) have to factor in shrinkage, which almost never works because one run through the dryer, and it's toast. Polyester is disgusting (save for its washing ease.) Patterns are hard to come by, even for women, there are not nearly enough. Solids rule. Leather and suede have all but disappeared. 'Vegan leather' saves animals but it looks like crap. Everyone looks cheap now.

I wish men were more interested, cared more, dared more, were not uneasy about showing their individual style, even standing out sometimes. An average looking guy can be hugely elevated if he knows how to dress well. Women's fashion is much, much harder to fit, by comparison. Men's bodies don't have as many curves, and curves are specific. So fashion, for me, has become an ordeal in frustration. I don't like the process of shopping anymore, had a lifetime of it, and the inventory in stores is nothing like it used to be. Online sales are up 99% with covid. I return most things I buy online.

But men, if y'all did put more into your wardrobe, thoughtful, less generic choices, women would surely notice, and appreciate it. So Lynx, you're on the right track. It's not easy today, but it'll give you an edge out there. (And if you ever want feedback on some options you're considering, hit me up, invite me to a q or whatever. I would have made a good consultant on this.)

[Unit1]

Thank you Ms. Amanda! I knew I could count on you!
I will contact you right away.

"But men, if y'all did put more into your wardrobe, thoughtful, less generic choices, women would surely notice, and appreciate it."
"An average looking guy can be hugely elevated if he knows how to dress well."

Hell yeah! I knew this would be true.
Time for the girls to be mine, mine, mine 👩😍👩

[AmandaYVR]

Likes bees to honey 🐝

[Unit1]

Totally :)

(and not gold diggers to money 😂😂😂😁😁😁) 💨💨💨👩👙👠👠💞👨‍💼💰💰💰🚙🛥🏡

You know what? This shall be my new catchphrase!
Like bees to honey, not gold diggers to money 😉🤟

[AmandaYVR]

That's it!

[Minerate]

One thing that gets me is the cost per article vs. quality obtained. It often feels like you pay more for the name than the actual quality/material of the clothing. For me, quality is in the build, stitching, durability and lifespan of the clothing and not directly the name or style.

A good example to me would be taking Duluth Trading vs. Lucky Brands or Levi. Both produce jeans, Duluth tends to be work oriented and focuses on material and build durability/flexibility and Lucky tends to focus more on upfront comfort and name. For me: My main issue with jeans tends to be material failure. (Ripping, holes, inflexibility). My Choice would be: Duluth, even though not stylish.

It would be nice if they could make good, durable, easy to care for clothes that are stylish and also didn't break the bank. ((Some of the worst clothes I've had were name brand. Ex: Cremieux/Lacoste/Calvin Klein/Hollister)) But until that day arrives, I will likely always take durability/build quality and cost over style/name.

[Unit1]

Fair enough.
I myself am "against" (strong word here) expensive brand names such as Gucci, Louis V or Jimmy Choo. I really wonder who shops there. Most likely gold diggers but the business runs.

We can find plenty of clothes from Nike and Adidas likely due to the high sales on these. I mean they're still better than being naked.
Now we have a degraded trend of selling ripped jeans from the get go. Outrageous.

[Anpu23]

I love to dress well and I am a big fan of mixing it up. I think you have limited yourself to your own preconceived notions. Some thoughts and suggestions, if you like something wear it, who it was made for simply doesn't matter. I have women's clothing in my wardrobe specifically a few sweaters, a pair of leather pants, a couple of pairs of shoes. The leather pants in my profile in fact.
Second dress for the occasion, look to history for ideas, are you going clubbing or to a meeting? I often wear military clothing (BDUs) or a utilikilt casually and I hate T-shirts rather have a casual raw silk top, or other button down with a tank top under. Even if the shirts unbuttoned. As far as sport coats tweed, silk and camel hair are all good choices. Mix it up, velvets are great for the club, love my ruffles, vests are also a thing. Ties, cavats, bowties, ascots. And hats, man hats... There's my top hat, the bowler, I even own a tri-corner. And of course accessories, belts, watches, rings, bracelets, cufflinks, tieclips, tiepins. And footwear, does one wear Docs or Brogues, shell toes, cowboy boots, pirate boots, and the humble sneaker. Of course for a dash of flair don't tell me you couldn't get away with a cloak instead of an overcoat. Trench coat, P-Coat, leather jacket... And of course the ultimate male expression choice of facial hair, what you do or do not wear on your face is a cery bold statement sir. I shall conclude with a picture of me, in my Tri-Corn kilt and high boots swinging a hammer at my forge. Best of luck to you.

[Unit1]

Woah! Impressive! You definitely have an advanced sense of style! Cool! Looking good there!
I got the idea of buying women's clothes not so long ago as well. An umbrella is on it's way.
Furthermore I have seen some women saying they are buying men's products for a variety of reasons (lower price, better quality, fitting more to them...).
So basically there's no such a thing as "who it's made for" with those labels. What counts is what Ariana Grande said "I want it, i got it".

[Anpu23]

Exactly

[PhantomThread28]

I 110% agree with you! It's especially difficult when you don't live in a big city like I do so when you do try to be more fashionable you stick out like a sore thumb.

I feel like stores like Express have done a better job at getting men colorful and pattern shirts. Where I would say the next evolution needs to happen then is the style of shirts. Right now for men it's basically button down shirts, long sleeve or short sleeve t shirts, polos, and sweaters. They are all very safe and boring cuts. Its because men have two things working against us the fear of being like a woman and the fear of being labeled as gay. Gay men and women have taken a lot of the style arena as important components to their Iives so when typical blokes try to get in on some of that their male compatriots don't celebrate it but denigrate it as abnormal. I feel like this will change with this younger generation. I have VS panties because I think they're fun and comfortable and I have women's skinny jeans because I think they are more stylish, but I have a wife and I'm straight but if I told most people that they would think I'm a freak because evidently having a vagina gives sole ownership to certain products in the eyes of most men, which is just dumb. I think it will also take women helping men achieve this evolution and wanting them to get in on being more fashionable.

[Unit1]

That is certainly one way how women can repay us with equality ;) Drive the fashion industry to provide us with more clothing options! Hell yeah!

[Alpha09]

Honestly I think they should offer more options in the men's section. But there's the issue of wether or not the demand is big enough. Most guys aren't super into exploring non traditional or alternative clothing options. Personally I will shop in the men's section sometimes because a lot of women's clothing is so incredibly stupid and illogical in my opinion. But yeah I agree the men's section could use something new. Or just a bigger section in general lol like with jackets and accessories. Most stores just cater to what people reach for.

[Unit1]

Tell me all about it!

[Shampan]

I think the problem is with men being too shy from wearing bright colors. Take a look at this photo of Chris Hemsworth wearing pink pants. He looks amazing here! Okay sure Tessa Thompson looks ridiculously attractive in a suit lol but my point here is about Chris Hemsworth who looks hot too. Men can change up their wardrobes with things other than black and white from time to time

Men in Black: International

[SomeGuyCalledTom]

Well tbf, when a guy has the looks of Chris Hemsworth, he could wear literal hobo rags and women would still fawn over him lol.

But I do agree men could be more adventurous in wearing different colours. It's something I'm working on including more of in my wardrobe.

[Eggplant29]

Yes Tessa Thompson is beautiful.

Part of the problem is that the bright colours are hardly available so it's harder for men to buy the clothes they would want to wear

[Unit1]

That's right!
Fortunately designer clothes are coming to the rescue :D And no, definitely not Gucci or Jimmy Choo.

[OurManFlint]

I dont know that it is color that men are running from today. This is especially the case for guys late teens to early 20's as they wear neon socks and sneakers now.

[Koalamate]

I mean I live in a small town so there isn't a huge variety of options but a while ago I went to the city and bought a black denim jacket from a big store with huge variety. When I got back to my town I got a rediculas amount of compliments and light teasing to the point I can't wear it without people constantly stopping me.
In the store there was 3floors of women's clothing and 2 of mens.
If you live in my town teens wear surf store clothing fake pre warn clothing plaid shirts jeans Tees with logos.
If someone has a suit they work at the car dealer or loyers office or a visiting doctor.

[Unit1]

Oh yeah. That's what I'm talking about. Online shopping can remedy that.

[SomeGuyCalledTom]

I've been becoming more conscious of style and fashion, although it's a bit like learning a second language:

not knowing what colours combine; how to layer clothing for different occasions; carving out a personal look that sets me apart from others without looking too "out there" to the point of being gaudy.

I guess the metrosexual movement added more variety for men's style options, but you pretty much have to identify as metrosexual to take advantage of those options. For men who prefer a cleaner, more "masculine" (and dare i say, "heteronormative") look, there's significantly less options.

I guess the flipside is that the limited 'looks' we do have tend to be pretty "timeless", and staple pieces like a good pair if dark blue jeans can dress up or down for many different situations. So we trade in variety for versatility.

[Unit1]

Could be that dynamic.
The second language comparison is, well, kinda seeing your point there, especially if a person relied on their parents for money and clothing and didn't buy their own underwear and clothing. But it can be learned quickly. Sometimes by trial and error. But once overcoming that obstacle it gets much easier and it's worth it. The fashion gurus could go as far as buying opposite sex clothes without flinching awkwardly whatsoever. People can hardly tell.

[winterfox10]

A lot of men's fashion choices are related to the military choices being made in the times that fashions are developed, then women tend to get them as military technology changes. The trench coat? Born from the gritty, muddy hell of World War 1. The Chukka boot came as an adaptation to fighting in Saharan sand. Aviator sunglasses are an attempt at letting American fighter pilots go out into public without having to worry about their goggles leaving a silly looking tan line around the eyes. Cable-knit turtlenecks are from submarines and the polo comes from the armed personnel sent with British diplomats to India.

[Unit1]

Interesting observation!

[winterfox10]

Men’s fashion is fascinating stuff!

[Unit1]

Remember the 80s? Miami style? With those shirts with palms drawn on them and stuff. Those were cool too! And them shades. :D







I searched for "miami style" to find these but I saw only women there until I searched for "miami style men" and found those 🙄

[Yads_Is_Back]

I salute you just for caring about how you present yourself. A lot of guys will even ask a girl out in a baggy t-shirt and shorts with piercings and all that... uhhmmm no thanks. Dress presentably. So I just wanna say, apart from the fact that you make a good point, that I admire that you care enough about it.

[Yads_Is_Back]

Also to say that even though men's fashion choices are more limited there are still styles a guy can have that look very handsome and almost make me wanna tear him up :P but apparently a lot of guys can't pull it off

[Unit1]

Yay! Appreciated.
I found designer clothing online shops after posting this article, which to some degree remedied this problem. None of that Gucci or Louis V. They're not that expensive but not cheap either.

[Edanurus]

I feel this is down to your lack of imagination/generalisation here.

So going to a black tie event a guys only option is a suit? Ok 2/3 piece, double or single breasted, cufflinks simple and understated or flashy, dress tie or bow tie (cravat?), tie pin or not. What colour suit? Plain, stripped, paisley? What lining?

The only reason you don't have the big layout with all the stores is that men and womens shopping habits are different.

There are so many options for men and fashion, apart from dresses I can't think of anything women have that men dont (kilts are skirts, come at me Scots!)

[Unit1]

Fair enough. You sold that to me.

[Edanurus]

I honestly just wanted an excuse to rant about suits lol.

[Unit1]

Well, you got it.

[ThongQueenFlirt]

Here are a few men's clothes in the 1970s. Even then, they didn't have much to choose from. I don't see a jumpsuit. I remember going to dinner in NY when I saw a black man who was a pimp, wore a loud color lime jumpsuit. I don't remember what color his hat with the feather was. He also had 3 of his ladies with him.

The 1970s men clothes

[Unit1]

Interesting...

[potatoiswhoiam]

I didn't know this problem existed because at least in my country, malls have an entire floor for women and also an entire floor dedicated to men's clothes. In almost all shops.. and variety is amazing! Men's clothes are also such high quality sometimes I even shop from men's section.
A man CAN have a "whore/slutty" outfit as well as colorful outfit, I think the options are also there, yet there's not much demand for that.
Bottom line, guess it depends on country?

[Unit1]

Likely. Perhaps it has something to do with the demands on demographics as well. I can imagine poor countries focusing less on fashion and more on matters on moving closer to the middle class lifestyle.

[Jjpayne]

Thank you for this!!! I really would appreciate the fashion industry to start noticing us men. Just because there is not high demand does not make out desires or wants to away... Give us a store! Women have nearly the whole mall!!! Give us one store that takes a unique and bold fashion statement for men, just one. Promote it and see what happens... Even an online store for goodness sakes...

[Unit1]

Tell me all about it! That certainly sounds like a plan.
Hell even the Rappers have better clothes than the average Joe next street. Somehow they obtained these. Why shouldn't we.

[Jjpayne]

Exactly!!

[ThiccNigro]

I think the major issue is that men are accused of being gay for pretty much everything they do. It's kind of ironic. If a man doesn't put effort into his looks, he's dirty and lazy. If he does, then he's a homosexual. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I prefer to dress nicely but I have certainly met scrutiny for it. It seems men dressing nicely is only tolerated when the situation really calls for it otherwise they (they meaning both men and women) claim something is wrong with you

[Unit1]

Tell me all about it. But that's more of their problem than it's for the one, who dresses amazingly. They may be jealous or look to undermine somebody. As some say for the haters and bullies "it shows their own insecurity/weakness". When you receive that, you know you're on the right track. It's like a sign pointing towards the direction you are looking for.